Charles H. Leonard

Charles Hall Leonard (September 16, 1822 – August 27, 1918) was an American Universalist minister, theologian, and academic who served as dean of the Tufts Divinity School from 1892 to 1910.

Early life, education, and career Born in Northwood, New Hampshire, Leonard's family moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he was educated in the common schools, and then at Haverhill Academy, Bradford Seminary, and Atkinson Academy in New Hampshire. After teaching at Bradford Seminary for several years, he abandoned plans to enter the Congregational ministry and embraced Universalism. He studied theology under Thomas Jefferson Sawyer at the Clinton Liberal Institute in Canton, New York, graduating and being ordained in 1848.

During his career, Leonard also served for twenty-two years on the Chelsea School Board and as chairman of the city's Board of Supervisors, where he helped establish Chelsea High School.

Personal life and death Leonard married Phebe Bassett of Atkinson, New Hampshire, in 1848. They had three children, one of whom died in early adulthood. Phebe died in 1872.

Leonard died in his home in Somerville at the age of 91.